The Need to Speak

Session Eight - Facing Fears

Alex decided to skip the staff meeting he normally had before Scott's Thursday appointments to take him out to breakfast. They sat in a diner just chatting. Alex could tell Scott was anxious.

"Scott, do you have any anxiety problems? You look like you're on the verge of some kind of attack."

Scott drank a huge sip of water before answering. "Not really. I've only had one or two panic attacks in my life, and they weren't that bad. Just nervous."

Alex moved his legs so they were against Scott's under the table.

"We should head out. I have to set up before your appointment. See you there." Alex slid out of the booth. He wanted to physically comfort Scott, but he was mindful they were in public. He settled for a smile and a wink.

A half an hour later, Alex led Scott into the office.

"The people who are helping today are in Lynn's office. Get settled on the couch. They are going to be in my office once your inside. I'll come in when we are ready."

Scott went into the workroom as Alex left the office. Alex decided not to tell Scott that Lynn would be watching.

A few minutes later, Alex walked into the workroom with a middle age man in a suit. The therapist.

"Hello, Scott, my name is Dr. Delum, but please call me Charlie."

"Hello, Charlie, nice to meet you."

Alex went into the corner and sat in a chair to watch. Charlie and Scott both knew that the topic of conversation was made up for the sake of the exercise. Scott seemed to be doing okay, maybe just a tad bit shy. After ten minutes, they concluded their "session". Charlie shook Scott and then Alex's hand before leaving the room.

"How do you feel?" Alex asked.

"Good. That wasn't too bad. I just felt silly making stuff up, but I think I could go to a therapist and do okay alone."

Alex wrote a few notes on his papers before inviting in a young woman. The dentist.

"Hey, Scott, my name is Dr. Fidman."

"Hey." Scott replied as they shook hands. Dr. Fidman easily transitioned into the scenario of Scott being a new patient. They easily talked for a few minutes. She was gone quickly.

Scott knew what Alex was going to say. "I feel normal, Alex. No problems."

Alex stood right in front of Scott. "You ready?" Scott just nodded. Alex left the room and returned with woman in her fifties wearing a white lab coat. The doctor.

"Hello, Scott, my name is Dr. Rose."

Scott shook her hand a bit stiffly before they sat down.

"Now, what seems to be the problem today?" She knew this was just practice, and that she wouldn't have to do a real diagnosis or even touch the man in front of her.

Scott swallowed and replied quietly, "I fell and hurt my knee." Dr. Rose nodded and asked him general questions about what happened, and Scott replied with his made up story. So far, so good.

Then it went to shit.

"Is there anything in your personal or medial history I should be aware of before we proceed."

Scott knew it was fake. He knew he could say no and the scenario would end. But he couldn't. He looked at his hands and couldn't reply. A tear escaped as he crumbled slowly. He felt trapped inside his head and there were no words in his brain. Alex thanked the doctor and ushered her out of the room. He quickly returned to Scott's side.

"I'm sorry for disappointing you." Scott whispered as tears flowed down his face.